Most small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) don’t possess the resources to run and maintain their IT infrastructure, let alone assess whether it’s still driving value for the company. However, if you want to ensure everything is running smoothly, it’s important to conduct technology business reviews whenever possible.

A technology business review reveals the strengths and weaknesses of your company’s IT framework. It’s often performed by a third-party IT consultant who will give an objective assessment of your technology and provide recommendations to help you meet your goals. If done properly, technology business reviews allow you to:

Save money

Every review starts with a cost-benefit analysis to determine whether an implemented solution is worth the continued investment. If there are technologies costing you a fortune in management and maintenance fees, consultants will advise you to cut them from your budget. The best ones will recommend cost-effective alternatives so you can do more with less.

Increase productivity

System-wide reviews of your IT infrastructure show you what processes are hindering business operations. This allows you to formulate solutions to increase productivity. For example, if employees are mainly sharing files via email, consultants might suggest cloud collaboration platforms, like Office 365 or G Suite, that store data in a centralized location for seamless file sharing.

Enhance security and compliance

Technology business reviews can also uncover security risks within your business. Consultants look for missed patches, poorly configured networks, and other software vulnerabilities that can be easily exploited by cybercriminals.

They’ll then compile their findings to create a more robust cybersecurity strategy, usually, one that involves implementing advanced solutions like intrusion prevention systems (IPS), file access restrictions, and patch management software.

If you operate a business that’s subjected to data regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) or Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), consultants will also pinpoint IT practices and solutions that are noncompliant and customize a strategy that ensures the privacy, integrity, and availability of your data.

Implement technologies that fit

Considering that new technologies are released at a breakneck pace, it’s important to pick those that will help you achieve your business goals. Technology business reviews keep you up to date on the latest technology trends and gauge the impact of implementing them so that you can make informed decisions.

Whether your goal is to increase profits, productivity, security, or all of the above, technology business reviews can put you on the right track. Our seasoned IT consultants can conduct these reviews for you and develop a strategy that gives you an edge over the competition. Just give us a call.

Businesses need technology to be profitable and productive. But not all technologies are capable of delivering on their perceived benefits. To make sure your investments are worth keeping, you need to perform technology business reviews.

A technology business review reveals the strengths and weaknesses of your company’s IT framework. It’s often performed by a third-party IT consultant who will give an objective assessment of your technology and provide recommendations to help you meet your goals. If done properly, technology business reviews allow you to:

Save money

Every review starts with a cost-benefit analysis to determine whether an implemented solution is worth the continued investment. If there are technologies costing you a fortune in management and maintenance fees, consultants will advise you to cut them from your budget. The best ones will recommend cost-effective alternatives so you can do more with less.

Increase productivity

System-wide reviews of your IT infrastructure show you what processes are hindering business operations. This allows you to formulate solutions to increase productivity. For example, if employees are mainly sharing files via email, consultants might suggest cloud collaboration platforms, like Office 365 or G Suite, that store data in a centralized location for seamless file sharing.

Enhance security and compliance

Technology business reviews can also uncover security risks within your business. Consultants look for missed patches, poorly configured networks, and other software vulnerabilities that can be easily exploited by cybercriminals.

They’ll then compile their findings to create a more robust cybersecurity strategy, usually, one that involves implementing advanced solutions like intrusion prevention systems (IPS), file access restrictions, and patch management software.

If you operate a business that’s subjected to data regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) or Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), consultants will also pinpoint IT practices and solutions that are noncompliant and customize a strategy that ensures the privacy, integrity, and availability of your data.

Implement technologies that fit

Considering that new technologies are released at a breakneck pace, it’s important to pick those that will help you achieve your business goals. Technology business reviews keep you up to date on the latest technology trends and gauge the impact of implementing them so that you can make informed decisions.

Whether your goal is to increase profits, productivity, security, or all of the above, technology business reviews can put you on the right track. Our seasoned IT consultants can conduct these reviews for you and develop a strategy that gives you an edge over the competition. Just give us a call.

Microsoft’s Surface line does not only have the most powerful Intel Core processors, but it also offers unprecedented integration with Office 365. With unique touchscreen capabilities and advanced accessories, Surface devices enable you to work with the popular productivity suite in new and exciting ways.

Audio transcription in Word

This new feature allows audio files to be uploaded into Word, which will then be broken down and transcribed on a side panel using Azure Speech Technology. If you want, you can also record directly on Word using the Dictate function. The app will automatically transcribe it. To review the accuracy of the transcription, simply select a piece of the transcribed text and the audio version of that part will be played back.

This technology will be available in Word for web in early 2020, and can be enjoyed on desktop and mobile in the spring. This feature isn’t free, but researchers, students, and professionals will find that this feature is worth the cost. It can also be of help to people with disabilities.

Improved Ink Editor

Ink Editor lets you edit and highlight documents by using your finger or a digital pen. Previously, you could already do simple commands with it, like delete and add words in a document, split a word, or link two words together. With Surface devices, the editing gestures become even more natural. When the technology arrives on web and desktop in Spring 2020, you will be able to insert comments anywhere in the document, as well as add graphs, drawings, or dictations.

Digital pen support for Excel

Microsoft takes advantage of the touchscreen capabilities in Surface devices by offering digital pen support for Excel. With this capability, you can now use your digital pen to write letters and numbers directly into Excel. This is perfect for people who are always on the go and those who want to save time when taking down notes.

Powerful Earbuds

Surface Earbuds are wireless earbuds that allow you to control music and calls by using signature gestures and voice commands. And because it integrates with Office 365, you can also use these gestures and commands on Office apps, such as when controlling a PowerPoint slideshow. Go to the next slide on PowerPoint by swiping on your Earbuds, or play and pause a video with a single tap on your device. Access apps like Outlook calendar and email without a screen. You can also use its built-in mic for dictation in apps like Word and Teams. The possibilities are limitless.

With Surface and Office 365 working together, you can expect improved productivity and more efficient workflows. Want to learn more about Office 365 and other necessary business technologies? Contact us today. Our technology experts are always ready to answer your questions.

Surface is comprised of Microsoft’s top-of-the-line laptops and tablets built with touchscreen capabilities, allowing them to integrate with Office 365 in even more efficient ways than previously possible. Here’s what to look forward to.

Audio transcription in Word

This new feature allows audio files to be uploaded into Word, which will then be broken down and transcribed on a side panel using Azure Speech Technology. If you want, you can also record directly on Word using the Dictate function. The app will automatically transcribe it. To review the accuracy of the transcription, simply select a piece of the transcribed text and the audio version of that part will be played back.

This technology will be available in Word for web in early 2020, and can be enjoyed on desktop and mobile in the spring. This feature isn’t free, but researchers, students, and professionals will find that this feature is worth the cost. It can also be of help to people with disabilities.

Improved Ink Editor

Ink Editor lets you edit and highlight documents by using your finger or a digital pen. Previously, you could already do simple commands with it, like delete and add words in a document, split a word, or link two words together. With Surface devices, the editing gestures become even more natural. When the technology arrives on web and desktop in Spring 2020, you will be able to insert comments anywhere in the document, as well as add graphs, drawings, or dictations.

Digital pen support for Excel

Microsoft takes advantage of the touchscreen capabilities in Surface devices by offering digital pen support for Excel. With this capability, you can now use your digital pen to write letters and numbers directly into Excel. This is perfect for people who are always on the go and those who want to save time when taking down notes.

Powerful Earbuds

Surface Earbuds are wireless earbuds that allow you to control music and calls by using signature gestures and voice commands. And because it integrates with Office 365, you can also use these gestures and commands on Office apps, such as when controlling a PowerPoint slideshow. Go to the next slide on PowerPoint by swiping on your Earbuds, or play and pause a video with a single tap on your device. Access apps like Outlook calendar and email without a screen. You can also use its built-in mic for dictation in apps like Word and Teams. The possibilities are limitless.

With Surface and Office 365 working together, you can expect improved productivity and more efficient workflows. Want to learn more about Office 365 and other necessary business technologies? Contact us today. Our technology experts are always ready to answer your questions.

Microsoft recently showcased Surface, a line of touchscreen-based laptops and tablets that run on the latest version of Windows. These gadgets boast compact builds, sharp displays, and other top-of-the-line specifications. And the best part is, all of these devices can integrate seamlessly with Office 365 to help you achieve optimum productivity. Here’s what you can expect.

Audio transcription in Word

This new feature allows audio files to be uploaded into Word, which will then be broken down and transcribed on a side panel using Azure Speech Technology. If you want, you can also record directly on Word using the Dictate function. The app will automatically transcribe it. To review the accuracy of the transcription, simply select a piece of the transcribed text and the audio version of that part will be played back.

This technology will be available in Word for web in early 2020, and can be enjoyed on desktop and mobile in the spring. This feature isn’t free, but researchers, students, and professionals will find that this feature is worth the cost. It can also be of help to people with disabilities.

Improved Ink Editor

Ink Editor lets you edit and highlight documents by using your finger or a digital pen. Previously, you could already do simple commands with it, like delete and add words in a document, split a word, or link two words together. With Surface devices, the editing gestures become even more natural. When the technology arrives on web and desktop in Spring 2020, you will be able to insert comments anywhere in the document, as well as add graphs, drawings, or dictations.

Digital pen support for Excel

Microsoft takes advantage of the touchscreen capabilities in Surface devices by offering digital pen support for Excel. With this capability, you can now use your digital pen to write letters and numbers directly into Excel. This is perfect for people who are always on the go and those who want to save time when taking down notes.

Powerful Earbuds

Surface Earbuds are wireless earbuds that allow you to control music and calls by using signature gestures and voice commands. And because it integrates with Office 365, you can also use these gestures and commands on Office apps, such as when controlling a PowerPoint slideshow. Go to the next slide on PowerPoint by swiping on your Earbuds, or play and pause a video with a single tap on your device. Access apps like Outlook calendar and email without a screen. You can also use its built-in mic for dictation in apps like Word and Teams. The possibilities are limitless.

With Surface and Office 365 working together, you can expect improved productivity and more efficient workflows. Want to learn more about Office 365 and other necessary business technologies? Contact us today. Our technology experts are always ready to answer your questions.

Have you been recently experiencing problems on your Mac computer? Are you wondering if you should shell out some cash for a new one or if it’s better to stick to your current device? If so, we are here to help. In this article, we list down the surefire signs that you need to buy a new Mac.

Your device can’t support the latest macOS version

Apple releases a new version of macOS every September or October. Typically, Mac models from the past several years are supported. So if your device can’t update to the latest version, it’s a sign that you need to have your Mac replaced.

As of this writing, the latest macOS version is 10.15 Catalina. Here are the following Mac models that support the update:

• MacBook (2015 and later)
• MacBook Air (2012 and later)
• MacBook Pro (2012 and later)
• iMac (2012 and later)
• iMac Pro (2017 and later)
• Mac Pro (2013 and later)
• Mac mini (2012 and later)

This means that devices made earlier than those in the list cannot install macOS Catalina. For instance, if you have a 2010 Macbook Pro running Mac OS X Lion, it cannot support Catalina. Your device is likely to be deemed obsolete, and while you can continue using it as usual, you won’t get any new features, and you might experience productivity issues.

You’ve run out of free space

File sizes are constantly growing, which means that they are bound to take up more space in computer hard drives. If your Mac only has 128 or 256 GB of storage space, you’ll find yourself freeing up space for new files often. You have the option to purchase flash drives or external hard drives, but these aren’t built into your system, so the chances of losing them — and your files — are very high.

It would then be more ideal to just purchase a new Mac. Newer versions offer 1 TB of storage, which offers significantly bigger storage than older Macs.

Your Mac has poor specs

If frozen screens, slow-loading apps, and poor battery life are already a part of your typical day while using your Mac, then it might be time to replace it.

For instance, the performance of a hard disk drive (HDD) slows down with age, which could cause your computer to load files and programs sluggishly. The same principle applies to your battery. You may experience short standby and usage times, or the device could just shut down by itself. There’s the option of plugging in your device to an outlet while using it, but this sacrifices portability.

To mitigate these issues, you can add more RAM, swap out the HDD, or replace the battery. It’s important to note that some components are soldered to the motherboard, so replacing them may not be an option. The money you would spend on upgrading your Mac would be better put towards a new machine, which will not only be faster, but also much more reliable.

Your Mac has hardware damage

You need to replace your Mac if it has suffered serious physical damage. This could range from a broken display, damaged hard drives, missing keyboard buttons, or nonfunctioning USB and charging ports.

It’s easy to have your device fixed, but it’s not the most financially sound decision to invest money in an obsolete machine when you can buy a new one that will last longer. Remember that small issues can also become major problems. Let’s say you’re using your Mac with a heavily cracked screen. The device might be usable for a while, but the display might stop functioning anytime, and this would be an inconvenience if you’re in the middle of something important.

If problems on your Mac are already affecting your productivity, consider replacing it with a newer version that performs much better and has no hardware damage.

You’re experiencing software issues

An outdated Mac can experience software problems such as unresponsive apps, visual glitches, and random shutdowns. If your Mac is running an old operating system (OS), it might run into software compatibility issues. For instance, a program may refuse to run because your OS is outdated.

You can usually fix these problems by freeing up your random access memory (RAM) or storage space. Reinstalling macOS is also a good option. If the problems persist, however, you should consider investing in a new Mac.

It’s important to have a Mac that not only performs well, but also helps you become more productive and efficient. If you want to learn more about replacing your Mac, drop our experts a line today and we’ll be in touch.

If you’ve owned a Mac for quite some time, it’s probable that you’ve gone through a few issues while using it. And after a while, using it can be more of a hassle than a convenience. If you’re already experiencing some major issues, it may be time to replace your Mac. Here are some telltale signs that you should.

Your device can’t support the latest macOS version

Apple releases a new version of macOS every September or October. Typically, Mac models from the past several years are supported. So if your device can’t update to the latest version, it’s a sign that you need to have your Mac replaced.

As of this writing, the latest macOS version is 10.15 Catalina. Here are the following Mac models that support the update:

• MacBook (2015 and later)
• MacBook Air (2012 and later)
• MacBook Pro (2012 and later)
• iMac (2012 and later)
• iMac Pro (2017 and later)
• Mac Pro (2013 and later)
• Mac mini (2012 and later)

This means that devices made earlier than those in the list cannot install macOS Catalina. For instance, if you have a 2010 Macbook Pro running Mac OS X Lion, it cannot support Catalina. Your device is likely to be deemed obsolete, and while you can continue using it as usual, you won’t get any new features, and you might experience productivity issues.

You’ve run out of free space

File sizes are constantly growing, which means that they are bound to take up more space in computer hard drives. If your Mac only has 128 or 256 GB of storage space, you’ll find yourself freeing up space for new files often. You have the option to purchase flash drives or external hard drives, but these aren’t built into your system, so the chances of losing them — and your files — are very high.

It would then be more ideal to just purchase a new Mac. Newer versions offer 1 TB of storage, which offers significantly bigger storage than older Macs.

Your Mac has poor specs

If frozen screens, slow-loading apps, and poor battery life are already a part of your typical day while using your Mac, then it might be time to replace it.

For instance, the performance of a hard disk drive (HDD) slows down with age, which could cause your computer to load files and programs sluggishly. The same principle applies to your battery. You may experience short standby and usage times, or the device could just shut down by itself. There’s the option of plugging in your device to an outlet while using it, but this sacrifices portability.

To mitigate these issues, you can add more RAM, swap out the HDD, or replace the battery. It’s important to note that some components are soldered to the motherboard, so replacing them may not be an option. The money you would spend on upgrading your Mac would be better put towards a new machine, which will not only be faster, but also much more reliable.

Your Mac has hardware damage

You need to replace your Mac if it has suffered serious physical damage. This could range from a broken display, damaged hard drives, missing keyboard buttons, or nonfunctioning USB and charging ports.

It’s easy to have your device fixed, but it’s not the most financially sound decision to invest money in an obsolete machine when you can buy a new one that will last longer. Remember that small issues can also become major problems. Let’s say you’re using your Mac with a heavily cracked screen. The device might be usable for a while, but the display might stop functioning anytime, and this would be an inconvenience if you’re in the middle of something important.

If problems on your Mac are already affecting your productivity, consider replacing it with a newer version that performs much better and has no hardware damage.

You’re experiencing software issues

An outdated Mac can experience software problems such as unresponsive apps, visual glitches, and random shutdowns. If your Mac is running an old operating system (OS), it might run into software compatibility issues. For instance, a program may refuse to run because your OS is outdated.

You can usually fix these problems by freeing up your random access memory (RAM) or storage space. Reinstalling macOS is also a good option. If the problems persist, however, you should consider investing in a new Mac.

It’s important to have a Mac that not only performs well, but also helps you become more productive and efficient. If you want to learn more about replacing your Mac, drop our experts a line today and we’ll be in touch.

Apple computers are built to last. However, you’ll eventually experience some issues with their machines and have to replace it with a new one. But how do you determine if it’s finally time to put your Mac to rest? Let’s highlight some of the signs you need to look out for.

Your device can’t support the latest macOS version

Apple releases a new version of macOS every September or October. Typically, Mac models from the past several years are supported. So if your device can’t update to the latest version, it’s a sign that you need to have your Mac replaced.

As of this writing, the latest macOS version is 10.15 Catalina. Here are the following Mac models that support the update:

• MacBook (2015 and later)
• MacBook Air (2012 and later)
• MacBook Pro (2012 and later)
• iMac (2012 and later)
• iMac Pro (2017 and later)
• Mac Pro (2013 and later)
• Mac mini (2012 and later)

This means that devices made earlier than those in the list cannot install macOS Catalina. For instance, if you have a 2010 Macbook Pro running Mac OS X Lion, it cannot support Catalina. Your device is likely to be deemed obsolete, and while you can continue using it as usual, you won’t get any new features, and you might experience productivity issues.

You’ve run out of free space

File sizes are constantly growing, which means that they are bound to take up more space in computer hard drives. If your Mac only has 128 or 256 GB of storage space, you’ll find yourself freeing up space for new files often. You have the option to purchase flash drives or external hard drives, but these aren’t built into your system, so the chances of losing them — and your files — are very high.

It would then be more ideal to just purchase a new Mac. Newer versions offer 1 TB of storage, which offers significantly bigger storage than older Macs.

Your Mac has poor specs

If frozen screens, slow-loading apps, and poor battery life are already a part of your typical day while using your Mac, then it might be time to replace it.

For instance, the performance of a hard disk drive (HDD) slows down with age, which could cause your computer to load files and programs sluggishly. The same principle applies to your battery. You may experience short standby and usage times, or the device could just shut down by itself. There’s the option of plugging in your device to an outlet while using it, but this sacrifices portability.

To mitigate these issues, you can add more RAM, swap out the HDD, or replace the battery. It’s important to note that some components are soldered to the motherboard, so replacing them may not be an option. The money you would spend on upgrading your Mac would be better put towards a new machine, which will not only be faster, but also much more reliable.

Your Mac has hardware damage

You need to replace your Mac if it has suffered serious physical damage. This could range from a broken display, damaged hard drives, missing keyboard buttons, or nonfunctioning USB and charging ports.

It’s easy to have your device fixed, but it’s not the most financially sound decision to invest money in an obsolete machine when you can buy a new one that will last longer. Remember that small issues can also become major problems. Let’s say you’re using your Mac with a heavily cracked screen. The device might be usable for a while, but the display might stop functioning anytime, and this would be an inconvenience if you’re in the middle of something important.

If problems on your Mac are already affecting your productivity, consider replacing it with a newer version that performs much better and has no hardware damage.

You’re experiencing software issues

An outdated Mac can experience software problems such as unresponsive apps, visual glitches, and random shutdowns. If your Mac is running an old operating system (OS), it might run into software compatibility issues. For instance, a program may refuse to run because your OS is outdated.

You can usually fix these problems by freeing up your random access memory (RAM) or storage space. Reinstalling macOS is also a good option. If the problems persist, however, you should consider investing in a new Mac.

It’s important to have a Mac that not only performs well, but also helps you become more productive and efficient. If you want to learn more about replacing your Mac, drop our experts a line today and we’ll be in touch.

Microsoft recently released the latest version of Windows 10, so it’s time to update your PC’s operating system. While it’s practically just a service pack, the update has some useful improvements to your computer’s performance. Here’s a list of the features the November 2019 Update brings.

Also known as Windows 10 version 1909 or 19H2, the Windows 10 November 2019 Update can be installed by heading to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Click Check Updates > Download and install now. Once the update is installed, that’s it — there are no long reboots and old Windows installation purges needed, unlike with previous updates. Just restart your PC and enjoy the small but helpful tweaks to your OS.

Windows Search and File Explorer integration

Previously, files on OneDrive were considered separate from those on your computer. Later versions of Windows 10 allowed file syncing between OneDrive and your PC. Doing a “This PC” search would show you a long list of the files stored on both OneDrive and your computer.

With Windows 10’s latest update, Windows Search indexes your computer. As such, typing a filename into the search box in File Explorer brings up a dropdown menu with a list of suggested files on both your local drive and OneDrive cloud. You also have the option of right-clicking on one of the search results to open the file’s location. This means you don’t have to sort through all the files that come up during a search, saving you some precious time.

You could still search non-indexed locations by pressing Enter after typing in the filename you’re looking for.

Battery life and other performance improvements

In general, some PCs will experience an improved battery life with the new update. This also means better power efficiency that leads to longer battery life for your laptop. The November 2019 Update also brings improvements to the scheduling on multicore CPUs, rotating work better among the cores to enhance performance and reliability.

Also, if your computer has digital inking features, you’ll experience lower latency with the new update. This means fewer lag or delay issues when you’re drawing, so you can complete tasks much faster.

Activate Alexa on the lock screen

Cortana’s not the only digital assistant with access to your computer’s lock screen anymore. A tweak in the November 2019 Update now allows you to voice activate third-party digital assistants from the lock screen. Those “third-party digital assistants” actually mean just Amazon’s Alexa for now, but this change could pave the way for a future wherein you could use several digital assistants on a single device.

In fact, earlier this year, Microsoft announced the Voice Interoperability Initiative (VII). This would enable users to use several wake words on a single desktop or laptop, including those running on Windows 10.

For instance, you could use Spotify’s own voice-guided navigation directly if you want to play a specific song. This is opposed to how current AI assistants work; right now, if you want to play a song on Spotify, you’d have to direct your request through Cortana or Alexa. VII basically does away with this extra step.

But again, the tech is limited to launching just Alexa from the lock screen — at least, for now.

Add new events to your Calendar from the taskbar

Windows 10’s calendar application is a nifty tool for staying organized and on top of tasks. The latest update makes it even easier to use by allowing you to create calendar events directly from the taskbar.

Simply click the clock on the taskbar to open the Calendar. Click on a date and type in the name, time, and location of the event or task in the textbox that comes up. You can also view and edit any events or tasks you create here in the Calendar app.

Other useful tweaks

The Start menu has been made more user-friendly. Hovering over icons in the navigation pane on the left side of the menu shows what you’re about to click on, so it’s easier to understand what the icon does before you click on it.

Also, Microsoft’s screen reader Narrator tells you where the Fn key is located on your keyboard and whether it’s locked or unlocked. This is especially helpful to users who can’t easily see the keys.

Finally, before the November 2019 Update, you had to disable notification sounds separately for each app that shows notifications. But now you can easily mute all notification sounds by going to Settings > System Notifications > Notifications & Actions.

Microsoft is always seeking ways to improve their products and, in turn, user experience and productivity. If you want to learn more about the different Microsoft products and devices, drop our experts a line today.

With the Windows 10 November 2019 Update, your desktop or laptop will get some small but important tweaks to its systems. If you haven’t already, install the latest update to start enjoying the latest performance-enhancing improvements to Windows 10.

Also known as Windows 10 version 1909 or 19H2, the Windows 10 November 2019 Update can be installed by heading to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Click Check Updates > Download and install now. Once the update is installed, that’s it — there are no long reboots and old Windows installation purges needed, unlike with previous updates. Just restart your PC and enjoy the small but helpful tweaks to your OS.

Windows Search and File Explorer integration

Previously, files on OneDrive were considered separate from those on your computer. Later versions of Windows 10 allowed file syncing between OneDrive and your PC. Doing a “This PC” search would show you a long list of the files stored on both OneDrive and your computer.

With Windows 10’s latest update, Windows Search indexes your computer. As such, typing a filename into the search box in File Explorer brings up a dropdown menu with a list of suggested files on both your local drive and OneDrive cloud. You also have the option of right-clicking on one of the search results to open the file’s location. This means you don’t have to sort through all the files that come up during a search, saving you some precious time.

You could still search non-indexed locations by pressing Enter after typing in the filename you’re looking for.

Battery life and other performance improvements

In general, some PCs will experience an improved battery life with the new update. This also means better power efficiency that leads to longer battery life for your laptop. The November 2019 Update also brings improvements to the scheduling on multicore CPUs, rotating work better among the cores to enhance performance and reliability.

Also, if your computer has digital inking features, you’ll experience lower latency with the new update. This means fewer lag or delay issues when you’re drawing, so you can complete tasks much faster.

Activate Alexa on the lock screen

Cortana’s not the only digital assistant with access to your computer’s lock screen anymore. A tweak in the November 2019 Update now allows you to voice activate third-party digital assistants from the lock screen. Those “third-party digital assistants” actually mean just Amazon’s Alexa for now, but this change could pave the way for a future wherein you could use several digital assistants on a single device.

In fact, earlier this year, Microsoft announced the Voice Interoperability Initiative (VII). This would enable users to use several wake words on a single desktop or laptop, including those running on Windows 10.

For instance, you could use Spotify’s own voice-guided navigation directly if you want to play a specific song. This is opposed to how current AI assistants work; right now, if you want to play a song on Spotify, you’d have to direct your request through Cortana or Alexa. VII basically does away with this extra step.

But again, the tech is limited to launching just Alexa from the lock screen — at least, for now.

Add new events to your Calendar from the taskbar

Windows 10’s calendar application is a nifty tool for staying organized and on top of tasks. The latest update makes it even easier to use by allowing you to create calendar events directly from the taskbar.

Simply click the clock on the taskbar to open the Calendar. Click on a date and type in the name, time, and location of the event or task in the textbox that comes up. You can also view and edit any events or tasks you create here in the Calendar app.

Other useful tweaks

The Start menu has been made more user-friendly. Hovering over icons in the navigation pane on the left side of the menu shows what you’re about to click on, so it’s easier to understand what the icon does before you click on it.

Also, Microsoft’s screen reader Narrator tells you where the Fn key is located on your keyboard and whether it’s locked or unlocked. This is especially helpful to users who can’t easily see the keys.

Finally, before the November 2019 Update, you had to disable notification sounds separately for each app that shows notifications. But now you can easily mute all notification sounds by going to Settings > System Notifications > Notifications & Actions.

Microsoft is always seeking ways to improve their products and, in turn, user experience and productivity. If you want to learn more about the different Microsoft products and devices, drop our experts a line today.

Microsoft rolled out the latest Windows 10 update on November 12. And though it’s a relatively small update, it comes with new features that will improve your Windows 10 computer’s functionality and performance.

Also known as Windows 10 version 1909 or 19H2, the Windows 10 November 2019 Update can be installed by heading to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Click Check Updates > Download and install now. Once the update is installed, that’s it — there are no long reboots and old Windows installation purges needed, unlike with previous updates. Just restart your PC and enjoy the small but helpful tweaks to your OS.

Windows Search and File Explorer integration

Previously, files on OneDrive were considered separate from those on your computer. Later versions of Windows 10 allowed file syncing between OneDrive and your PC. Doing a “This PC” search would show you a long list of the files stored on both OneDrive and your computer.

With Windows 10’s latest update, Windows Search indexes your computer. As such, typing a filename into the search box in File Explorer brings up a dropdown menu with a list of suggested files on both your local drive and OneDrive cloud. You also have the option of right-clicking on one of the search results to open the file’s location. This means you don’t have to sort through all the files that come up during a search, saving you some precious time.

You could still search non-indexed locations by pressing Enter after typing in the filename you’re looking for.

Battery life and other performance improvements

In general, some PCs will experience an improved battery life with the new update. This also means better power efficiency that leads to longer battery life for your laptop. The November 2019 Update also brings improvements to the scheduling on multicore CPUs, rotating work better among the cores to enhance performance and reliability.

Also, if your computer has digital inking features, you’ll experience lower latency with the new update. This means fewer lag or delay issues when you’re drawing, so you can complete tasks much faster.

Activate Alexa on the lock screen

Cortana’s not the only digital assistant with access to your computer’s lock screen anymore. A tweak in the November 2019 Update now allows you to voice activate third-party digital assistants from the lock screen. Those “third-party digital assistants” actually mean just Amazon’s Alexa for now, but this change could pave the way for a future wherein you could use several digital assistants on a single device.

In fact, earlier this year, Microsoft announced the Voice Interoperability Initiative (VII). This would enable users to use several wake words on a single desktop or laptop, including those running on Windows 10.

For instance, you could use Spotify’s own voice-guided navigation directly if you want to play a specific song. This is opposed to how current AI assistants work; right now, if you want to play a song on Spotify, you’d have to direct your request through Cortana or Alexa. VII basically does away with this extra step.

But again, the tech is limited to launching just Alexa from the lock screen — at least, for now.

Add new events to your Calendar from the taskbar

Windows 10’s calendar application is a nifty tool for staying organized and on top of tasks. The latest update makes it even easier to use by allowing you to create calendar events directly from the taskbar.

Simply click the clock on the taskbar to open the Calendar. Click on a date and type in the name, time, and location of the event or task in the textbox that comes up. You can also view and edit any events or tasks you create here in the Calendar app.

Other useful tweaks

The Start menu has been made more user-friendly. Hovering over icons in the navigation pane on the left side of the menu shows what you’re about to click on, so it’s easier to understand what the icon does before you click on it.

Also, Microsoft’s screen reader Narrator tells you where the Fn key is located on your keyboard and whether it’s locked or unlocked. This is especially helpful to users who can’t easily see the keys.

Finally, before the November 2019 Update, you had to disable notification sounds separately for each app that shows notifications. But now you can easily mute all notification sounds by going to Settings > System Notifications > Notifications & Actions.

Microsoft is always seeking ways to improve their products and, in turn, user experience and productivity. If you want to learn more about the different Microsoft products and devices, drop our experts a line today.

At Microsoft’s Ignite conference this month, the company announced a new vision for its personal productivity assistant, Cortana — one which aimed to make it more useful in your day-to-day work, including email, but one which also saw Microsoft scaling its ambitions back from Cortana as a true Siri, Alexa or Google Assistant competitor. Now, the other shoe has dropped, as Microsoft says it’s planning to shut down its standalone Cortana mobile apps across a number of markets.

The company quietly revealed its plans to wind down support for Cortana on iOS and Android in several regions, with an end-of-life date of January 31st, 2020. After this point, Cortana mobile app will no longer be supported. Microsoft also said it will release an updated version of its Microsoft Launcher, that will have Cortana removed.

Microsoft tells us the impacted markets include Great Britain, Australia, Germany, Mexico, China, Spain, Canada, and India. While the U.S. isn’t in this list today, it would not be surprising to see its support pulled at a later date. The Cortana app for iOS is only ranked No. 254 in the Productivity category on the App Store, and only No. 145 on Google Play, according to current data from Sensor Tower.

After Jan. 31, 2020 the Cortana content users had created like reminders and lists will no longer function in either the Cortana mobile applications or in the Microsoft Launcher, but will continue to be accessible through Cortana on Windows. In addition, Cortana’s reminders, lists, and tasks are automatically synced to the recently updated Microsoft To Do application, which will continue to work.

Microsoft has been steadily dialing back its plans for Cortana over the past couple of years. At Microsoft’s Build 2018 event, the company showed off Cortana’s interoperability with Alexa, for example — an admission of sorts that Cortana wasn’t powerful enough on its own to serve the needs of voice assistant users. And this January, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said the company no longer saw Cortana as an Alexa competitor and ended its plans to go in the direction of Cortana-powered smart speakers.

“Cortana is an integral part of our broader vision to bring the power of conversational computing and productivity to all our platforms and devices,” a Microsoft spokesperson told TechCrunch in a statement. “To make Cortana as helpful as possible, we’re integrating Cortana deeper into your Microsoft 365 productivity apps, and part of this evolution involves ending support for the Cortana mobile app on Android and iOS.”